Vacuum sealing apparatus.



PATENTED JAN. 29, 1907.

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A W/w/ wd' lAPILIOATIQN FILED MAY 18. 1905.'

J. A. LANDSBERGER & W. C. BUHLES.

No. S4-2,320.

No. 842.320. PATENTED JAN. 29, 1907. 5. A. LANDSBERGEB. & W. 0. BUHLES.

VACUUM SEALING APPARATUS.

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Julius A Ldndsbergenj YVllarn C. Buhles,

UNITED STATES JULIUS A. LANDSBERGER, OF ALAME PATENT OFFICE.

DA, AND WILLIAM o. BUHLEs, or sAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS TO 'HERMETIC CLOSURE CO., OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VACUUM SEALING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Appleman mea May 18.1905. serai No. 261,050.

Patented Jan. 2e, 1907.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, JULrUs A. LANDS- BERGER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Alameda, in the county of Alameda Sand State of California. andWILLIAM C.

BUHLEs, a citizen of the UnitedStates,"re siding at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have'invented certain new and useful Improve- 1o ments in Vacuum Sealing Apparatus, Aof' which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to apparatus for sealing cans, jars, or other receptacles in vacuo; and its principal objects are to provide means i for preventing the application of pressure to the cap, cover, or other closure until after the receptacle has been exhausted; further, to provide means for preventing the readmission of air to the receiving-chamber containzo ing the receptacle to be vacuum-sealed until after pressure has been applied to the cover for holding it securely in place and making an air-tight joint; further, to provide means forcontrolling and regulating the pressure to 2 5 be so applied to the cover; further, to provide against the exertion of an excess of pressure upon either the receptacle or its cover; further, to provide means for exerting the requisite pressure with but slight effort upon 3o thepart of the operator; further, to provide means for lookin and retaining in position the door-handle y which thevaouum-controlling valve-lever is operated after it has `placed the valve in position to allow the ,vacuum to be applied and while the receiver is being exhausted; further, to provide improved means for causing the door of the receiver or vacuum-chamber to open au'tomatically after pressure has been applied to 4o the cover ofthe receptacle and air readmitted to said chamber; and in addition our inyention' rovides a number of improved features and etails of construction and arrangement `all tending to the production of a simple, ef-

ficient, and easily-operated vacuum sealing apparatus.

An embodiment ofour invention is hereinafter described and is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- 5o Figure 1 is a front elevationof the entire apparatus. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation ofthe upper part of l the door of the vacuum-chamber open.

the supporting-frame with the doo-1` of the vacuum-chamber removed. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the same parts with Fig.

5 is a cross-section of the vacuum-chamber looking downward. Fi 6 is a cross-section of themachine-standar on line a; :c of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a detail vertical section of the coupling connectin T the two arts of the rod b means of whic 1 the seat or the receptacle 1s raised and lowered. l

The operative parts ofthe machine are supported y a frame or standard 1 of a convenient height and which is preferably a section of a hollow'column,` as shown, and is adapted to be bolted to a floor. The standard is iianged at the top to meet and su port the base-flange 2 of the vacuum-cham er 3, the ianges bein bolted to ether. The vacuum-chamber l(liras an o en ont of rectan ular shape and is close at the sides and bac r, so that a tightly-iitting door 4 can complete-the closure of said chamber. This ldoor is fixed upon a rocking shaft 5, journaled in brackets 6 on the standard, and said side or edges, as shown in Fig. 5. Extend` ing across the front ofthe dooris a rock-shaft 10, journaled in brackets on the door and to which is secured one end of a torsion-spring 11, which encircles the rod and-whose free end bears. against or may be secured to the' face of the door. p

The shaft 'or rod 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, is heldin place by a nut 13 on one end t by a packing 9 of rubber or,-

and by the handle 12 on the other, the latter fitting over a sfuare shoulder on the shaft and being secure thereto by the bolt-head 55.

The handle 12 has an extension 14 below the shaft7 which is turned inwardly, so as to strike the door, thus acting as a stop to the backward movement of the handle and being Anormally pressed against the door by the re- IOO coil of the torsion-sprin 11. The handle being thus pivoted to the oor has an independent forward movement against the-tension of thel spring 11, the object of which will be hereinafter explained. Aided by the resistanceof the spring 11,the operator is enabled l to close the door easily and conveniently by means of the handle 12, th'e door being partly counterbalanced b the tension of the doorof such lever is connected to a tension-spring 17, attached to the receiver, which normally keeps the valve `closed to the vacuum andopen to the outside air. The other end of said lever is in thepath of the further movement of the door-handle after the door has been closed.y f

The valve is operatedfor the production of a vacuum in the receiver by the door-handle 12 inthe following manner: After the operator has swung the door up to the closed position (indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 4) he continues ltheforward movement of the handle. The latter strikes the free'end of the valve-lever and operates the valve so as tofestablish a vacuum within the receiver 3.

The operation of a vacuum Within the receiver of itself completes the air-tight closure of the door in consequence of the outer atmospheric pressure. The return movement of the valve-lever is limited by a stop 18, projecting from the structure, and the forward and downward movement of the door-handle l is checked by the stop`19, projecting from the structure, and also by the notch, recess, or shoulder 20-on the valve-lever. When the forward movement of the door-handle has been completed, it rests on the shoulder 20 of the valve-lever and in this position is locked by a lever 21, pivoted to the'main frame and having a beveled head and shoulder 22. A tension-spring 23 holds this4 beveled head normally in the path of the door-handle,

- which in its forward movement forces the lever 21- to one side and slips-past the bevel. The shoulder 22 now springs back and engages the door-handle, locking it in this position, as shown in Figs.- 2 and 5, the valve being openv to the vacuum and the receiver exhausted. When the door-handle is released, the torsionspring 1 1`causes it to spring backto its normal position, thus freeing the valve-lever, which in turn is drawn back by the .tension-spring 17 to its initial position, thereby cuttin off the vacuum and readmitting the atmosp ere to the vacuum-chamber andvalso releasing the door.

Means are provided for. releasing the door-handle, so that the door, bein freed from outer atmospheric pressure an given impetus by the reaction of the 'compressed packing, can swing open of its own weight, which means will be described in connection with the mechanism for supporting and holding the receptacles in the chamber.

A vertically-movable rod 24 `enters the vacuum-chamber from below .and carries a plate 25,.wh'ich is the support for the receptacle to be vacuum-sealed. 'This is countersunk to receive a molded rubber mat 26, formed 'with a horseshoe-shaped guide 27, (best shown in Fig. 5,) the latter facilitating thel instant placing of the receptacle in proper position upon the elastic support.

passing through a stui'ling-box 29, and a tightenin -gland 30 for compressing the packing. Inside the chamber is a presser-head 32, hungloosely from the rod by means of a balljoint 33 and having a bell-shaped recess which rits over the cover of the receptacle.

.The ball-joint and bell-shaped recess enable the presser-head to center and adjust itself so as to be 'properly seated on said covers. The presser-head is heated electrically in the usual way by the circuit-wires 34, connected to any suitable source of electrical power and which are'led into the chamber through a stuflin '-box 35 and are terminally connected to sai presser-head. The presser-head and the plate 25 form two members of a clamp, between which the receptacle, with a loose cover in place, is held when the rod 24 has been raised.

The rod 24 slides in guides 36 on the supi porting-standard and is made in two parts, as especially illustrated in'Fig. 7. lts lower part has an upper threaded end which is connected into the coupling 37. The cou )ling is adjustable on said lower section in or' er to give the whole rod the exact length required at any time and is held in adjustment by a nut 38. The upper end of the-coupling is closed by a screw-cap 39, through which the upper rod-section passes loosely and in which it 1s held by a washer and a nut 41. The cou ling can therefore move independently of t e upper rod-section. Coiled upon the rod. 24 is a return pressure-spring 42, held between one of the guides 36, and an adjustable collar 43; 'clamped uponthe rod, which serves to return the whole rod to normnl posit-ion after its upward movement. The lower rod-section is jointed at its lower end to a link 44, which is in turn jointed to the short end of the rocking treadle-lever 45. Thus a toggle is formed, which not only gives great powcr and insures an accurate vertical movement of the rod, but also starts the rod the resistance caused by the compression of spring 49, hereinafter described, increases.

The upper section of the rod 24 is connect-- Entering the top of the chamber is a threaded rod 28,

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'quickly upward and increases the leverage as ed to the seat 'or su port for the receptacle and passes into the )ottoni of the vacuumchamber through a packing-gland 46. A follower 47, having an adjusting-head .'52, is threaded into this gland in order` to keep the packing under compression. The rod slides through the gland and follower. A pressurespring 49 surrounds the rod, the lower end of which bears against. the coupling 37 and the upper end against an adjustable collar 5,1, threaded on the rod and lockedl in adjustment by a nut 48. The collar 51 is used to regulate the resistance of the spring 49.-

When the treadle is de resscd, the lower art of the two-part rod irst moves up bo ily, putting the return-spring 42 under compression. As the coupling 37 is loose with relation to the upper rod-section, the latter docs not move untlli the. resistance of' spring 49 under compression com )els it to do so, when it rises, together with tile seat for the receptacle, and presses such receptacle into the concave upper presser-head. Since this motion is transmitted through the spring 49, the pressure increases graduallyT to its maximum, and it is evident that the pressing movement is completed without any sudden stop or jar, and consequently without danger of excessive pressure, should a receptacle be slightly above normal size, or injury to glass receptacles. The lever 21, which locks the doorhandle, as before described, extends downwardly along the standard andis jointed at its lower end to a bolt 50, which has a sliding bearing in a guide 53 on .the standard 1. The

`inner end` of this bolt is formed in angular shape, itslowerface being straight and its upper face being an inclined or beveled projection 54. The bolt 50 has a slot-and-pm connection to the lever 21 and can be adjusted at the point of connection, so as to accurately determine the position of its beveled face relatively to thel coupling 37. With the parts in normal posit-ion with the door of the vacuum-chamber open the relation of this holt to the rod 24 is such that the spring 23 can throw said' bolt inwardly and above the projection formed by the coupling 37, thus locking the rod against upward movement. By the act ci closing the door and of opening the valve to the vacuum, as before explained, the upper end ol' lever 21 is forced inward lby the door-handle and while locking the handle is itselil held by said handle. This movenient of the lever 21 withdraws the bolt 50 to such an extent that the coupling 37 is clear of its flat end face, although the inclined projection 54 still remains in the pathof the edge of the coupling. The rod 24 is thus unlocked, and the. operator by depressing the treadle raises said rod and the receptacle.- support and receptacle within the vacuumchamber. The coupling 37, bearing upon the beveled face 54, forces the bolt outwardly, and the motion thereby communicated to the lever 21 causes the upper end of the latter to move inwardl door-handle cannot be released until the cou ling` has risen beyond the vertical face of the Ibolt 50, and such face can be of any desired extent to accurately insure pressure to the receptacle'and closure to form an initial air-tight joint, which remains intact until the restablishment of atmospheric .pressure within the receiver makes it permanent, and hence the door must remain closed with the vacuuml established until 1the required pressure has been exerted on the cover of the receptacle, at which time the cou ling will have pushed the bolt 50 outwarcl ton the full possible extentg- The locking o the rod and release the' door-handle. \It Will be o served Ithat the.

24 and the release of such rod by themeans for controlling the door and valve, prevent the operator from' applying an 1 ressure to the receptacle and closure until t e vacuum has been Jfully established, and since the doorhandle is not released until the r'essure .has been fullyrap lied the readmission of air to the vacuum-c amber cannot take place until that time.

Upon the release of the door-handle the engagement between it and the valve-lever is broken by the action ofthe torsion-spring 1,1, I

which throws the handle to normal osition with its extension 14 bearing'against t e front of the door. At the same time the spring 17 acts upon the valve-lever,which closes the, valve to the vacuum-producing means and opens it for the admission of fresh air at normal atmospheric pressure to the vacuumchamber,which completes the sealing of the receptacle. The weight of the door, aided to some extent by the expansion of its hithertocompressed e astic packing, is suilicient to overcome the counterbalancing effect of the torsion-spring on its hinge-joint, and it therefore opens and swings out automatically, coming to rest noiselessly and without jar as soon as the torsional resistance exceeds' its gravity, It may be stated here that 'a counterbalancing weight secured to the rockshaft of the door-hinge can be substituted for the torsion-springs shown.

The sequence of operations by which a receptacle is vacuum-sealed is as follows: The' presser-head 32 is adjusted in the vacuum- 4chamber in proper relation to the height of ICO II'S

packing under compression. The 'same mo' tion of the door-handle which operates the valve-lever also forces back the lever 21, whose shoulder 22 slips over and locks the door-handle in engagement with the valvelever. The bolt 50, which hitherto has been locking the vertical rod 24 and which is connected to the lower end of the lever 21, isl

artly withdrawn by the movement of the atter, freeing the vertical rod. The operator now depresses the treadle, raising the rod 24 and forcing the receptacle and its cover into the heated presser-head 32 and applying a yielding pressure transmitted through the f 'wardly into the path of movement of the' `leases the valve-lever.

spring 49, as before explained. In this vertical movement of the rod 24 itscoupl-ing 37 strikes the projecting beveled face 54 of'bolt 50 and forces it outwardl sufficiently to effect the disengagement o 'the lever 21 from the door-handle, which springs back and renstantly the spring 17 of the valvelever acts, causing the valve to shut oif the connection with the vacuumforming means and to admit air to the-vacuumchamber,by which the seal is completed and the door released. The receptacle and .cover are supposed to have'a packing between 'them which is somewhat softened by heat and which hardens by cooling and forms an air-tight joint. The operator' then releases the treadle and the return-spring 42 causes the rod 24 to-descend. This frees the vacuumsealed receptacle from the presser-head 32, and it is .removed from its seat. As soon as the rod has descended thel spring 23 pulls the lower end of the lever 21 inwardly, moving the bolt'50 into position above the coupling 37 and moving the upper en d of lever 21 outdoor-handle. All parts are now in normal position in readiness for the performance of the same sequence of operationsupon another receptacle.. j j .It will be particularly noted tliat no pressure can be brought upon the receptacle until the vacuum-chamber has been tightlyl closed and the vacuum established,` and also that air cannot be readmitted until the pressure required to form an air-tight joint and prevent ingress of air to the receptacle has been `brought upon the receptacle, as the coupling and Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In ak vacuum sealing apparatus, means for subjecting an assembled receptacle and cover to a vacuum, means for subjecting said receptacle and cover to pressure whlle in vacu0, and neans for preventing the ap lication of such pressure until the vacuumv as been established= Y 2. In a vacuum sealing apparatus, means for subjecting an assembled receptacle and cover to a vacuum, means for subjecting said receptacle and cover to pressure while in vacuo, rreans for readmitting air, and means for preventing the readmission of air until the receptacle and cover have been subjected to such pressure.

3i In a vacuum sealing apparatus, a receiver, a valve through which air is exhausted from and'readmitted thereto, means for operatin said valve, means for subjecting a receptac e 'and cover within the receiver to pressure, and a connection between the valveoperatin means and the pressure-producin means W ereby they are alternately locke and alternately released.

4. In an apparatus forsealin receptacles 'in vacuo, a vacuum-chamber, a oor `for closand readm itting it to the same, a door-handle -ing the sanil e, a valve for exhausting air from adapted to lock the valve during the creation and existence of the vacuum, and' means for locking the door-handle.

5. In an apparatus for scalino` receptacles in vacuo, a vacuum-chamber, a door for closing the same, a valve for exhaustin air from readmitting it tothe same,- a vsilve-lever,

a door-handle adapted to engage with the valve-lever during the creation and existence of the vac-uum, and means for locking the door-handle in engagement with the valvelever.

6. In an apparatus for sealin receptacles vacuo, a vacuum-chamber, a oor for closing the same, a valve for exhausting air from and readniitting it to the san: e, a door-handle l adapted to lock the valve during the creation .and existence of the vacuum, and means for automatically locking and releasing the doorhandle. j

7. In an apparatus for sealing receptacles in vacuo, a vacuum-chamber, a door for closing the sam e, a valve for exhausting air from and readrf. itting it to the same, a valve-lever,

a door-handle adapted to lock the valve-lever during the creation and existence of the vacuum, and means for locking the door-handle and for releasing the door-handleand valvelever.

8. In a vacuum sealing apparatus, a vacuum-chainber, a door for closing the same, a support for receptacles within said chamber, a vertically-movable rod connected to said support, a valve for exhausting air from and nreadmitting it to the vacuum-chamber, a ivfor locking said door-handle and at the other oted door-handle adapted to engage the va velever, and a lever having at one end means end means for locking said rod.

. 9. In a vacuum sealing apparatus, a vacuum-chamber, its door, an air exhaust and admission valve, a vertically-movable support for receptacles to be vacuum-sealed, and a connected mechanism for locking said door 4in closed position and for locking said support when the door is open.

10. In a vacuum sealing apparatus, a vacu- Aum-chamber, a door for closin the same, an air-valve, apivoted door-han 1e for operating said valve, a latch-lever in the path of the door-handle for locking said handle, a vertically-movable rod, a sup ort for receptacles carried thereby, and a c 'ng device for said rod connected to said latch-lever.

11. In a vacuum sealing apparatus', a supporting-frame, a' vacuum-chamber, a valve or exhausting air from and readmitting it tol said chamber, a vertically-movable support for receptacles, and a pivoted lever having separate means for alternately lockingbsaid valve and said support; said support eing free When said valve'is locked andvice versa.

12. In a vacuum sealing apparatus ,a vacu- 3o 11m-chamber, its door, a lever for locking the door, a vertical rod entering the vacuumchamber and carrying a receptacle-support,

a projection from said rod, and a bolt connected to the door-locking lever forstopping and releasing said projection.

13. In a vacuum sealing apparatus, a vacuum-chamber, means for controlling ythe production of a vacuum therein, means for applying pressure upona receptacle and cover therein, means for simultaneously locking the vacuum-controlling means and freeing the pressure-applying means, andifor alternately and simultaneously freeing the vacuum-controlling means and locking the pressure-applying means.

14. In a vacuum sealing apparatus, and in combination a receiver, a door for closingl the v same, a valve for exhausting air from and readmitting air to the same, a door-handle adapted to operate the said valve,devices for applyin pressure upon a receptacle and cover W 'le in vacuo Within the receiver, and a connected mechanism includin means for locking' and releasing the doorandle `and means for locking and releasing the pressureapplying devices; all .constructed and arranged r the performance of the following sequence-of operations: the operation of the va ve by the movement of the door-handle in one direction and the consequent creation of a vacuum Within the closed receiver; the locking door-handle and valve and the simultaneous release of the pressure-applyingv devices; the application of pressure to the re- 'ceptacle and coverin vacuo; the automatic release of the door-handle and valve, tlieir return to normal positionand the readmission of air to the receiver; and the return of pressure-ap lying devices to normal position .and their re ocking in such position. 7

15. In a vacuum sealing apparatus, a receiver adapted to contain a receptacle and its cover, vacuum-controlling means, pressureapplying means, and movable connections between said means for locking and releasing them alternately, said connections includin a bolt having an end formed with vertica and inclined faces; the said bolt being arranged in such relation to the pressure-applying means as to lock and release the same 8o and to etransmit through said connections motion derived from contact of the pressureapplying means `with said inclined face, thereby releasing .the vacuum controlling means. 85

16. lIn a vacuum sealing apparatus, a vacuum-chamber, a supportfor a receptacle therein, a vertically-movable rod connected to said support, a projectionfrom said rod, av locking-bolt havin an end formed with ver- 9o tical and inclined aces, and adapted to normally act as a stop for said projection, and means for movin said bolt so as to remove its vertical face om the ath of said projection and to leave its inc ined face in said path. y

17. In a vacuum sealing apparatus, a receiver, vacuum-controlling means, pressureapplying means, and a lever having at one end a device forlocking and releasing-the roo vacuum-controlling means, and at the other a device for locking and releasing the pressure-applying means.

18. In a vacuum sealing apparatus,- a receiver, vacuum-controlling means, pressureapplying means, a lever having at one end 4a device for locking and releasing the vacuumcontrolling means, and at the other end a device for locking and releasing the pressure-applying means, and a spring connected to said I-Io lever for restoring it to' and tending to maintain it in its normal position.

19. In a vacuum sealing apparatus, a supporting-frame, a lreceiver, a door for t e same, a door-handle, a vacuum-controlling valve, a lever pivoted to the main frame an( havin at one end a shoulder adapted to engage tiie said door-handle, a support for receptacles Within the receiver, a verticallymovable rod connected thereto, a bolt con- 12o nected to the other end of said lever and a said operating means. 13o

. samea valve for exhaustin erate said valve, and means for 21. In an apparatus for sealing receptacles 'in vacuo, a vacuum chamber, a swinging door therefor, a valve for controlling the eX- haustion of air from'f-andy admission of air to the said chamber, means, carried by the door, for controlling said door and operating said valve, and means for locking said controlling and operating means.

2:2. In an apparatus for sealing rece tacles 'in vacuo, a vacuum-chamber, a door tor the same, a valve f'or exhausting and readmitting air from and to the same, a lever for controlling the door, a lever, operated by the doorcontrolling lever, for opening the valve for the productipn of a vacuum, and means for lookinr the door-controlling lever.

23. n an apparatus for sealing receptacles iuvacuo, a vacuum-chamber, a door for the and readmitting air fromand to the same, a` andie carried by the door, a valve-opening lever operated by said handle, and means for locking tle doorhandle. y

24. I n an apparatus for sealing receptacles, in vacuo, a vacuum-chamber, a door for the same, a valve for exhausting and readmitting air from and to thesame, a valve-lever, a handle journaled on the door and ada ted to o lldcking tliie handle and thereby locking the valve-lever.

25. In an apparatus for sealing receptacles 'in vacuo, a vacuum-chamber, al door for the same, a valve for exhausting and readmitting air from and, to the same, means for controlling the dool` which means also control the opening of said valve for the production of a vacuum, and means for locking said controlling means.

26. In an apparatus for sealing receptacles 'iu vacuo, al vacuum-chamber, a door for the same7 a valve for exhausting andreadmitting air fromand to the same, a valve-lever, a handle j ournaled on the'door, and having a movement of its own independentlT of the door, whereby after the door has been closed the said handle can continue its movement and operate thevalve-lever and means for locking said handle.

27. In an apparatus for sealing receptacles m same, a valve for exhausting and readmitting air from and to the same, a valve-lever movable in one direction for opening said valve and having a spring for returning it automatieally in. the other direction, a handle on the door for operating said valve-lever,- means for locking said door when it has operated the valve-lever, means for releasing said door, and a spring for retracting said doorhandle. y

28. In a vacuum sealing apparatus, a vacuum-chamber, a supportl for a receptacle, and a rubber mat attached to said support and having a U-shaped guide-rim.

29. In a vacuum sealing apparatus, a vacuum-chaniber, a support for a receptacle therein, a rodconnected to said support, a coupling having a removable cap in which said rod isloose, a collar on said ro'd, a pressure-spring on said rod between said cap andsaid collar, a second rod fixed in said coupling, and means for moving said second rod; the second. rod and coupling moving independentlyr of the first rod until a sulicient compression of the sprin(r compels the transmission of motionto said fIrst rod and said support.

In testimony whereof We have affixed our signatures, in presence of tWo Witnesses, this 5th day of May, 1905.

J. A. LANDSBERGER. WM. C. BUHLES. Witnesses:

L. W. SEELY, 1 M. R. SEELY.

vacuo, la vacuum-chamber, a door for theI 

